Valve operating mechanism



Jan. 14, 193 6.

w. B. ATCHINSON 2,027,363 VALVE OPERATING MECHANISM Filed Oct. 24, 19235 Sheets-Sheet l if 15 y J5 ,,/TZ6 35 1 25 I TL U1 L n W Tim-[TILT H14Jan. 14, 1936. w. B. ATCHINSON VALVE OPERATING MECHANISM Filed Oct. 24,1923 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Wm 43%? 2 W Jan. 14, 1936. w. B. ATCHINSON VALVEOPERATING MECHANISM Filed Oct. 24, 1923 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 witness Jan.14, 1936. w. B. ATCHINSON VALVE OPERATING MECHANISM 5 Shee ts-Sheet 4FilBd Oct. 24, 1923 witness 1936. w. B. ATCHINSON VALVE OPERATINGMECHANISM Filed Oct. 24, 1923 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented Jan. 14, 1936UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE VALVE OPERATING MECHANISM tion ofMassachusetts Application October 24, 1923, Serial No. 670,468

9 Claims.

This invention relates to motion imparting apparatus, and moreparticularly to such apparatus wherein a limited movement in at leasttwo directions is to be attained, and especially to improved motoroperated valves and control means therefor.

While this invention is particularly adapted for use in operating valvesand other devices to which a limited movement is to be given, and,

10 as a matter of convenience in illustration, is shown as embodied in astructure for operating a valve, it will be understood that it has awide field of utility for other purposes.

The principal objects and advantages of this invention reside in theprovision oi. an improved motion transmitting mechanism; the provisionof an improved motor operated motion transmitting mechanism and controlmeans therefor; the provision of improved motion transmitting mechanismand indicating means therefor; the provision of improved motiontransmitting means and improved control and indicating means therefor;the provision of improved motion transmitting mechanism and improvedelectrical control and indicating means therefor; the provision ofimproved motion transmitting mechanism, and improved power operatedmeans and indicating means; the provision of improved motiontransmitting mechanism and improved power operated means, control, andindicating means therefor; and the general provision of improved meansfor operating, controlling and rendering indications of operation of animproved motion transmitting mechanism.

Other equally as important objects reside in the provision of animproved control mechanism; the provision of an improved indicatingmechanism, the provision of an improved control and indicatingmechanism; the provision of an improved control mechanism forelectrically operated devices; the provision of an improved indicatingmechanism for electrically operated devices; the

provision of an improved control and indicating mechanism forelectrically operated devices; the

provision of an improved electrical control mechanism; the provision ofan improved electrical control and indicating mechanism, and theprovision, in combination with electrically or other power or manuallyoperated devices, more particularly 0 valves of improved operating,control and indicating mechanism therefor.

This invention is further characterized by the provision of means forimparting motion, and im-. proved electrically operated means forindicating that such motion imparting meansis in operable position: theprovision, in combination with an element to be moved, oi improvedelectrically operated means for indicating that such element is inposition to be operated; the provision, in combination with an elementto be moved and 5 electrically operated means for moving said element,of means for indication that such element is in position to be operatedelectrically; the provision, in combination, oi an element to be moved,and electrically operated means for moving said 10 element, of improvedelectrically operated means for indicating that the element and saidmeans are in operable relationship; the provision, in combination withan element to be moved and electrically operated means for moving saidele- 15 ment, of improved electrically operated means for indicatingthat said element and operating means are in operable relationship; theprovision of im proved means, in combination with an element to be movedand electrically operated means for 20 moving it, which serves to rendersaid operating means inoperative when the latter and said element to bemoved are not in operable relationship; the provision, in combination,of an element to be moved, electrically operated means for 25 impartingmotion thereto movable into and out of operative relationship therewith,and improved electrically operated means for indicating when they are inoperable relationship; the provision, in combination, or an element tobe moved, elec- 30 trically operated means for imparting motion theretomovable into and out oi. operative relationship therewith, and improvedmeans for controlling the circuit oi the electrically operated meansaccording to the operative relationship of the latter and said elementto be moved.

Among the objects and advantages of the present invention, moreparticularly as applied to valve operation, for instance, are theembodiment in a unit structure of improved means for operat- 40 ingvarious types, arrangements and sizes of valves and other similarmechanisms; the embodiment in a structure or means whereby the valve, orthe like, may be operated manually or electrically or by other powermeans, and where- 45 by an indication of the condition and position ofthe valve with respect to such power operated means and with respect tothe valve seat may be determined at a point remote from the valve; andthe provision in combination with a manually 50 operable valve, andelectrically operated means for operating the valve, of an improvedmeans for indicating the relationship of said valve and operating meansand for controlling the circuit of said electrically operated meansaccordingly. 66

' The foregoing, as well as such further objects and additional benefitsand advantages as may hereinafter appear or be pointed out, I attain bymeans of a construction, one embodiment of which is illustrated in theaccompanying drawings wherein:-

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of a valve and operating mechanism;

Figure 2 is a plan view, partly in transverse section,-of the operatingmechanism;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary elevational view of a portion of the deviceshown in Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 3 viewed from the right hand ofFigure 3;

Figures 5 and 6 are diagrammatic views illustrating alternative circuitarrangements;

Figure 7 is a sectional view of a switch mechanism.

Figure 8 is a plan view, (with cover removed) of the switch shown inFigure 7;

Figure 9 is an elevational view of the switch station or box forcontrolling the valve electrically;

Figure 10 is a view of the same with cover removed; and

Figure 11 is a longitudinal sectional view taken on the line iI-'II ofFigure 9, looking in the direction' indicated by the arrows.

Referring now in detail to the drawings, wherein this invention isembodied in a structure particularly adapted for operating valves, andis shownas applied to a valve of the well-known gate type, 5 is thevalve casing, this casing having the usual port I3 across which isslidable the blade of the valve 6, this valve being carried on one endof an operating member, such as a valve stem I, which extends upwardlythrough the center of the valve casing 5 into and through the top of thedetachable head 8 secured to the casing 5 by the bolts 9. The valve stem7 extends through a fluid tight packing gasket I0 mounted on the top ofthe head 8 and is provided with a threaded portion 8 beyond the head 8.

The structure-so far described is that usually embodied in any Slidinggate valve, and as previously pointed out one of the objects of theinvention is to mount the valve operating device as a unit upon thevalve, for operation either manually or by means of a motor. To this endthe structure to be described hereinafter has been designed.

As shown generally in Figure 1, the invention includes a housing Hcomposed of, the lower portion II and the upper portion I2, whichhousing contains the power transmission gearing and clutch means forcontrolling the same. The lower portion II is provided with a dependingsubstationally circularenlarg'ement I3 which seats upon a similarlyformed head I4 into suitably threaded recesses in the bottom face of theenlargement I3, thus fixedly mounting the housing upon the legs I5. Thelegs I5 are provided with foot portions H which are of suitable breadthto engage evenly the upper surface of the platform I8 usually castintegrally with the head 8, suitable bolts I9--I9 extending through thefoot portions II into the platform I8 for fixedly connectpairs on thelegs I 5 so as to support the motor directly upon the legs about midwayof the length of the same. The motor shaft 23 extends parallel to thevalve stem 1, but-to one side of the enlargement I3, said shaft 23 beingconnected to a shaft 24, which extends from the portion II of thehousing, by means of a sleeve 25. Of course, any other suitable meansmay be provided for connecting the shafts 23 and 24.

Transmission gearing is contained in the housing H composed of thesections II and I2, the former section being fixedly mounted on thestandard and the latter being rotatable and connected operatively withthe threaded part 8 of the valve stem through a lost motion connectionfor imparting rectilinear movement thereto within certain limits. Theconnection between the section I2 of the housing and the threaded partof the valve stem preferably includes a sleeve 26 provided with aninternally threaded bore 21 which engages the valve stem, the sleevebeing separate from and rotatably mounted in a vertically. extendingaxial hub, preferably cast integrally with the top section I2 of thehousing. Thus the sleeve 26 is rotatable relative the hub throughcertain limits governed by the lost motion arrangement to be presentlydescribed.

The bottom portion II of the housing is provided with an upstandingaxial hub which extends to a point about midway of the sleeve 26, but inspaced relation to the lower end of the hub. The sleeve is freelyrotatably mounted in the hub and is retained against longitudinalmovement in either of the hubs by means of a collar which encircles theupper projecting end of the sleeve and is secured thereto by key screwsand a second collar which is threaded to the lower end of the sleeve andlies in 'an-annular recess formedin the base of the portion I I.

Between the adjacent ends ofthe hubs a laterally extending annularflange 34 is provided, having a segmental lug formed integrallytherewith and with the sleeve. A worm 36 is secured to the flange 34 bymeans of screws, said worm lying between the upper end of the hub andsaid flange 34, and performing a function which will presently appear.The lower end of the hub is provided with a segmental lug 38, shown indotted lines in Figure 3, and arranged in the plane of the lug 35, theselugs or abutments being adapted to engage, when motion is imparted tothe upper section I2 of the housing, either manually or by the powertransmission gearing from the motor as will appear presently.

To the end that the necessary rotary motion may be manually imparted tothe upper section I2 of the housing, the latter is provided with ahand-wheel 39 integrally cast with the upper section I2 through themedium of webs.

The transmission gearing which comes into play when the motor is usedpreferably comprises a pinion 4 I mounted on the upper end of thestubshaft 24 within anenlarged chamber 42 formed integrally with thebottom section II, this pinion being adapted for meshing engagement witha relatively large gear 43 mounted upon a laterally shiftable shaft 44,another enlarged segmental chamber 45 being formed on the section whichextends through a bearing in the bottom wall of thelower section I I,this stud being eccentric to the shaft but concentric with the segmentalface'of the chamber and receiving on the lower free end a lever arm 50.The free end of the lever 50 is provided withan upstanding lug i whichis bored to receive a locking plunger 52, this locking plunger beingrestrained against outward movement by a helical spring 53 whichsurrounds the plunger, theplunger carrying a knob 54 by which the samemay be withdrawn from engagement with one or the other of the apertures55 and 56 formed in the segmental wall of the chamer 45. Thus byshifting the lever arm from one position to another, the pinion 46 maybe engaged and disengaged with the teeth on the upper section'.. In thismanner the motor may be readily disconnected from the rotatable part ofthe housing H, when it is desired to manually operate the valve, or whenthe motor is disabled, it being seen that when the motor is driving, theshaft 24 is connected to the upper section I! through the transmissiongearing.

The remaining details of construction of the valve, gearing and housingwill be found described and disclosed in the patents to E. T. Smith,Nos. 1,587,869, June 8, 1926; 1,562,596, November 24, 1925, and1,562,597, November 24, 1925.

I provide means for controlling the motor circuit within certain limits,this means being operated by the worm 35 and comprising a worm gear 58in meshing engagement with the worm and mounted upon the medial portionof the screw-rod 59 and rotatable therewith, which rod is mounted at itsends in bearings -50 carried by the base of the housing section i i. Apair of nut stops -6| are mounted upon and in threaded engagement withthe rod 59, these nuts having each a plurality of notches 52 forreceiving the guide-rod 63, this guide-rod preventing turning of saidnuts and extending above and parallel with the screw-rod 59 and seatingat its ends in recesses 6464 formed in the upper faces of the bearings50-50. As best shown in Figure 2, the guide-rod is retained againstaccidental displacement by i'lat strips 65-65 having each one free endscrewed at 55 to the bearing thereof. A pair of blocks 61 are pivoted at68 on an insulated base on the section I l, near the bearings 60, andpairs of circuit controlling elements 59 are carried by said blocks. Theblocks have extensions -10 connected by a contractile helical spring H,and said extensions are disposed in the path of movement of therespective stop nut therefor, so that when the nut for either of saidcircuit controllers strikes same the motor circuit is broken. Therelative'positions'of the nuts 5| on the screw-rod may be varied byreleasing one end of the guide-rod 63 and rotating one or the other ofthe nuts on the screw-rod, and then returning the guide-rod to position.

The lower section II and the upper section I! of the housing have a dustproof junction preferably comprising an annular horizontal flange on thesection II and an upturned flange, which latter lies within theperipheral wall of the section I! and cooperates therewith to preventthe entrance of foreign matter into the housing. The wall of the uppersection I! is likewise provided with a depending annular flange whichlies outside the annular wall of the portion H to close the spacebetween this wall and the peripheralv wall. The flanges are interruptedto permit .the pinion 46 to engage the teeth on the section [2 Referringnow to the electrical control and indicating mechanism, and first to theswitch structures, whereupon a description of the circuits will follow,I provide a so-calied control station, designated A in its entirety, andbest shown structurally in Figures 9, 10, and 11. 5

In this construction, which, of course, may be varied to suitconditions, there is provided a housing 15, preferably rectangular inshape and including the bottom wall 15, sides ll-11 and ends 18-18, thelower end wall as viewed in Fig- 1 ure 1 I, being provided with anopeninglla for the accommodation of electrical conductors, as will beobvious.

A cover or top wall 19, hereinafter termed an indicator plate, isapplied to the open front of the housing or container 15, by theprovision of bolts or screws 5050 which pass through the indicator plateor cover into the enlarged portions 80a of the end walls of the housing.

Within the housing, beneath the indicator plate, on an insulating bedplate II, are mounted the switches 82, 53, and 84, which are,respectively, the closing, opening and stopping switches, forcontrolling the motor circuits hereinafter described.

The switches 52 and 53 are of the types known as normally open, and theswitch 84 is of the normally closed type. The normally open switches areidentical and therefore but one is described. This switch comprises arod 55, mounted slidably in a bracket 45, which latter is fixedlysecured to the bed plate by the provision of screws 81, the rod 85having its outer end enlarged and projecting through a suitablyapertured guide plate 88, secured in the bottom of the pocket 89provided in the indicator plate.

The medial portion of the rod 85 is provided with an annular flange 85which abuts the inner surface of the plate 44, and limits the outwardmovement of the rod in response to the action of the helical spring 5|which surrounds said rod and abuts the inner side of the bracket 85..

The other end of the spring ll abuts the inner end of the bracket, as at92, and tends to maintain the switch open. The inner end of the rod 85contacts, when depressed with a contact platev or lug 53, secured to theinsulating bed plate 8|, (Figures 10 and 11) said plate 93 beingpermanently connected to one side of the circuit controlled by saidswitch.

A'glass covered door 84, hinged at 55, normally closes the pocket 55,and is suitably locked at 95 so that only the persons properlyauthorized mav have access to the switches. I The guide plate has theproper designating words engraved or otherwise placed thereon (Figure 9)adjacent the proper switch elements so that mistakes in operating cannotoccur readily.

The switch 54, being normally closed, as stated, to convenientlycomprises the operating rod 59 slidably mounted in the guide plate 58 ofthe rod being guided in socket 51 in the plate II.

A helical expansion spring IOI is disposed below the inner end of therod 58 so that this rod is normally forced outwardly, and said 'rodcarries a metallic disk III which serves to complete the circuit bycontact with the two spaced contactmembers I08 and I04, secured in turnto the base 8|.

The brackets l8 and the contact member I84 are all connected togetherelectrically by the provision of straps Ill-Ill, as best seen in FigureI provide means for indicating the position of the valve or otherdevice-operated, and in this operation.

instance I employ electric lamp,-not shown,-in each of thesocke'ts'jIIi'I, I08; and I08; These sockets are disposed immediately.below the openings I IILIII, and H2 in the indicator plate, and saidopenings are closedby glass plates II 3 --I I3. The lamps below theplates H3 in the openings I I0 andIII'indicate the condition of thevalve, as' to its position with respect to its seat, or

whether it is open or closed, and the lamp below the opening II 2indicates, as, will hereinafter appear whether the device is in positionfor motor In order to cut out the motor circuit when the motor 'ismechanically disconnected from the valve, I provide an automatic localswitch structure which may be termed a clutch or in gear switch shown inFigures 7 and 8, this device being of the normally open type, so thatwhen'released, the circuit is opened. g

In this instance'I provide a casing I It, having an internally threadednipple II5 whereby conductors may be aiforded entrance to the casing II4. i

Within the casing I provide an insulating base 'I IS, on which ismounted a pair of spaced contact plates or lugs II'I an'dIIIl, lying inthe path of movement of the meta lic disk I I9 carried byth'e operatingrod I20 of the switch.

V The operating rod has one end provided with an insulating button [20aprojecting from and slidable in the coverplate HI, and the otherendsli'dable inthe insulating plate ilfi. Thus is the rod guided in itsoperation. The disk I I9 mayor may not be insulated from the rod and isadapted to contact with the two members I I! and H8 and valveis set formotor operation, as best seen in Figures 3 and 4; The member 54 has anextension 54a thereon which is adapted to press against the button I20awhen inproper position, whereby to depress the sameand therebyclose theswitch.

This switch is hereinafter designated the ingear switch and has beengiven the ordinal "B in the circuit diagrams. It will be understood thatthe in-gear switch is interposed ineffect directly in the motor circuitand thereforewhen the motor is mechanically disconnected from the' valveit cannot be started, which prior to the present invention has resultedin" injury to-the motor, where permitted to run light, due to itsconstructionand winding as "a series motor.

In view of the fact thatthe circuit connections may be easily traced, adetail description of each conductor and its connection is not believedto be necessary here, immaterialdetails therefore being omitted. r

Each motor unit is controlled directly, that is, the starting;stoppingand reversal of the motor is controlled from a contactorstation, so that the device is characterized by the provision of remotecontrol for one or a group of the devices.

' This contactor mechanism is best shown in Figures 5 and 6, thecircuits oi Figure 5 being ar-' ranged for operation by polyphasealternating position.

current, and that of Figure 6 being arranged for operation bydirectcurrent. The detail connections are but slightly changed inshifting from D. C. to A. C. orvice versa, and for convenience,

I'will describe the direct current form first. 5 Referring to Figure 6,A A are two control stations, which may or may not be adjacent to eachother,and which may besituated at a convehient point in the valve house.fD' indicates the limit switches for one valve, which are shown 10 inFigure 2 and previously described; C is the contactor groupof line orreversing switches which includes a mechanical interlock, and B is the'local in-jgearswitch'. V

Power from a convenient source is supplied to 15 'theapparatus over theconductors I25 and I26,

it being assumed that theformer. is the positive side and the latter thenegative side of the line.

The apparatus isprotect'ed by the fuses I21.

The conductor I25 is divided andterminates at 20 the contact members I28and I29, and the conductor I26 is similarly divided, extension thereofleading at I30 to the field I3I of the motor, and a conductor I32leading to one of the contact plates or terminals of the in-gear switch.The other 25 side of the field winding is connected by the conductorI3Ic to the switch terminal I3 2a, and this terminal is connected withthe terminal I33, by the provision of a conductor I33a.

The terminals l28, I29, I320, I33 are arranged so withblowout coils, foran obvious purpose. 7 The terminals I28 and"l32c'form part of' theswitch E, furthercomprising the contactor arms I34 and I335." Theterminalsl29 and I33 form part of the switch F, which furtherincludesthe 35 contactor arms 836 and I31. I

'The arms of each of the switches E and F are connected so as tov movein pairs for controlling the motor circuit,' and said pairs areinterlocked mechanically so that. when one 4 switch is closed the otheris maintained in open The switch arms I34 and I3! are connected by theconductor I38 and the arms I35 and I36 are connected by the conductorI33, the conduc- 45 tors I38 and I39 being extended asshown to'theopposite sides orte'rminals of the motor.

It 'will be observed; from the foregoing that in accordance with whichone of the switches .is in d'ependsthe fiow of the current through 50the armatura'that is," the flow of the current through the field inoperation is constant as far as direction is concerned, but I reversetheflow of current in the armature, this being common practice to attainthe reversal of a direct 55 current motor. The windings of the motor andtheir connections are such that a series motor is provided, since it isnecessary practically to start the motor under load, but it isquiteconceivable that a shunt wound motor or a compound motor might beas readily employed in some installations. I do not therefore wish to belimited to the disclosure'of a series wound motor. a

' The switch' arm I34 is provided with an insulated metallic contactplate which bridges the of its winding connected by a conductor I48 toone of the terminals, I41, which forms part of the limit switch D and isin position to be contactedby one of the members 89 of said switch.

The solenoid I45 is connected at one end to the terminal I43, and theother side of the solenoid I45 is connected by a conductor I48 to aterminal I49 on the limit switch D and is in position to be contactedwith by one of the movable members 89 of said limit switch.

The conductor I420. extends to both of the controlled stations shown inFigure 6 but for the purposes of this description will be described asextending to one only of said stations, as the connections for bothstations are substantially identical. This conductor I42a is connectedcommonly to one side of each of the switches 82, 836, and 84 byconnection to one of the brackets 8 The lamp IOIa is connected through aresistance R'to the conductor |42a and similarly are connected the lampsIBM and IBM.

The other side of the lamp low is connected by a conductor I Illa to aterminal I58 of the limit switch D; the lamp I88a is connected by aconductor Illa with a terminal I5I oi said'limit switch; and thelampI89a is connected by a conductor I52 with the contact member III of thein-gear switch so that when said switch is closed, that is the valve isin position to be motor operated, the lamp I89a will be lighted.

It will be obvious that the lamps IIiIa and H181: will be alternatelylighted in accordance with the relative position of the two limit switchmembers 6969. With thesemembers in the position shown the lamp M80. isburning and the lamp I8Ia is extinguished, thereby giving an indicationthat the valve, for the purposes of this discussion is in the openposition or 011 its seat.

The terminal 93 of the switch 83 is connected by a conductor 93a to theterminal I43 so that when said switch is closed current will iiow fromthe conductor I420. via conductor 93a to the solenoid, thence throughconductor I48 to terminal I49, but as shown the limit switch preventsoperation or the motor because the valve is already in the openposition. If the member 89 at the top of the switch D is in contact withthe terminal I49 (valve closed) then current flows through the conductorI58a via the in-gear switch B, conductor I32, to the line conductor I28,thus completing the clruit for a visual indication at the lamp I88a.

The stop switch 84 is connected in series with the stop switch 840 ofthe other control station, and thence by a conductor 85a. to the lineterterminal I28 and the terminal 94, of the switch 82 is connected by aconductor 88a to the terminal HI.

I In the operation of the device disclosed in Figure 6, assuming thatthe valve is open as indicated by the burning of the lamp "Na, and it isdesired to close the valve, the switch 82 is closed, whereupon currentflows from conductors I25 and 85a through the conductor 86a. to thesolenoid I44 thence through conductor I45 to the lower switch element 89of the limit switch, conductor I58a, in-gear switch B, conductor I32,and back to the other side of the line I28. Energization of the solenoidI44 closes the switch E and current then flows from the conductor I25through arm I35, conductor I39, through motor armature to conductor I38,thence through switch arm I34, and conductor I3Ia to the field windingI3I, thence to the other side of the line by the conductor I38. Themotor thereupon starts to close the valve and at the proper instant oneof the nuts 8i opens the limit switch contact member 89, which, in this5 case, would be the lower one shown in Figure 6, then deenergizing thesolenoid I44 and permitting the switch E to open. When the switch Ecloses at the start, and in view of the fact that the switch 82 does notremain closed, the circuit through the solenoid I44 is completed by thebridging of the contact terminals I48 and HI, so that the solenoid ismaintained energized until the limit switch performs its function.

Just as soon as the limit switch opens the sole- 15 noid circuit itcloses the circuit to the lamp i810, and thereby gives a visualindication that the valve is closed.

As long as the valve is set for motor operation, current will flowthrough conductors l42a I25, 851: 20 switch 84 and; through the lampI890, conductor I52, in-gear switch B and conductor I32, so that avisual indication will be given that the valve is ready for motoroperation. If, for any reason, this circuit should accidentally becomeinter- 25 rupted or the motor mechanically disconnected from the valve,interrupting the circuit, or in the event that the limit switch itselfis not properly closed, the lamp I89a would be extinguished, and theoperator would be thereby apprised of trouble, with a fairly accurateindication of just where the trouble is.

It is unnecessary to describe in detail the operation when opening thevalve, because this is but a repetition of that already described, the88 exception being that the switch F is caused to function and thusreverse the direction of current in the armature of the motor and changeits direction of rotation.

In the event that it is desired during the open- 40 ing or closing ofthe valve to stop the operation, the operator merely presses on theswitch 84, which, as will be obvious, will result in instantlyinterrupting the current with a resultant deenergization of theparticular solenoid then in operation, thus stopping the motor, whichcannot again be started until one or the other of the switches 82 or 83is closed.

The operation of the device when used in polyphase alternating currentinstallations is substantially identical with that already described,Figure 5 illustrating at I55 an alternating current motor of theself-starting induction type or other suitable construction controlledby the switches E and F. As the operation 01' this form 55 of the deviceis substantially identical with that already described, and as the onlychanges made are the provisions 01 a third conductor I55, it will beunnecessary to describe this arrangement in detail. 60

Having thus described my invention and illustrated its use, what I claimas new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a device of the character described, in combination a mechanismarranged to operate a valve and including an element to be driven, amotor for driving said element, and a clutch for detachably connectingsaid motor and element to permit manual operation of the valve, lockingmeans for said clutch, remote control means for 0 said motor including amaster switch structure situated distant from said valve, line switchescontrolled thereby and serving to energize the motor, and a local switchin series with said master switch structure and actuated to closedposition by said locking means irrespective of said line switches whensaid motor and element to be moved are operatively connected throughsaid clutch.

2. In a device of the character described, in combination a mechanismarranged to operate a valve and including an element to be driven, amotor for driving said element,and a clutch for detachably connectingsaid motor and element to permit manual operation of the valve, remotecontrol means for said motor including a master switch structuresituated distant from said valve, line switches controlled thereby andserving to energize the motor, limit switches for controlling themovement of said valve, means including gearing and nut members actuatedthereby for engaging said switches and a local switch in series withsaid master switch structure and controlled by the manipulation of saidclutch to move to open position irrespective of said limit switches whensaid motor and element to be moved are operatively disconnected by saidclutch.

3. In a device of the character described, in combination, an element tobe moved within predetermined limits, an electric motor for impartingmovement to said element to be moved, a line switch for said motor, anda master switch actuating said line switch, manually operable means foroperatively connecting and disconnecting said motor and said element tobe moved, a local switch in series with said master switch and operatedby said manually operable connecting and disconnecting means, a limitswitch operated at all timesby said element to be moved controlling saidline switch and governing the op eration of saidmotor, visual signalsoperated by said limit switch indicating the position of said element tobe moved, and a visual signal indicating the position of said manuallyoperable connecting and disconnecting means.

4. In a device of. thecharacter described, in combination,..a mechanismarranged to operate a valve and including an element to be driven, amotor for driving said element, and a clutch for detachably connectingsaid motor and element to permit manual operation of said element,remote control means for said motor including a master switch situateddistant from said valve, line switches operated by said master switch,controlling the energization of said motor for operation in oppositedirections, limit switches operated by said element to be driven,controlling said line switches and the operation of said motor, meansfor indicating the position of the valve controlled by said limitswitches, a local switch adapted to open the motor circuit when saidclutch is disengaged, and means indicating the position of said clutchoperated by said local switch.

5. In a device of the character described, in combination a mechanismarranged to operate a valve and including-an element to operate a valveand including an element to be driven, a motor control for driving saidelement, and a clutch for detachably connecting said motor and saidelement to permit manual operation of the valve, remote control meansfor said motor in cluding a master switch structure situated distantfrom said valve, a line switch structure controlled by said masterswitch structure and serving to energize the motor, limit switchespermanently connected so as to be operated by said element to be moved,for controlling the movement of said valve, and a local switch in serieswith said master switch structure and controlled accuses by themanipulation of said clutch to open the motor-circuit independently ofsaid limit switches when said motor and said element to be moved areoperatively disconnected.

6. In a device of the character described in com- 5 bination, an elementto be moved, an electric motor for operating said element to be moved,mechanical connecting means for said motor and said element includingdisplaceable gear elements, a lever oscillatable about the axis of one10 of said gear elements for disconnecting said gear elements, lineswitches in the circuit of said motor for controlling the same, limitswitches controlling the operation of said line switches permanentlyconnected so as to be operated by move- 15 ment of said element to bemoved, and a switch disposed in the path of movement of said lever andconnected in series with said limit switches, said lever having anextending portion for engagement with and for operating said last-men-20 tioned switch when said lever is in one of its positions. 1

7. In a valve operating mechanism, an element to be moved, meansincluding an electric motor disconnectibly connected to and foractuating 25 the element to be moved, limit switches for stopping themotor within limits, line switches for controlling the direction ofmotion of the motor and element to be moved, electromagnetic means foractuating said line switches and for holding an the same in closedposition, master switches for controlling said electromagnetic means inthe circuit thereof so as to permit independent operation of the motorfrom a plurality of separate master switch stations, and a local switchop- 35 erable upon mechanical disconnection of the motor from theelement to be moved to open the circuit of the master switches.

8. In a valve operating mechanism, in combination, an element to bemoved, means includ- 40 ing an electric motor disconnectibly connectedto said element to be moved for'moving the same, manual means fordisconnecting said motor from said moving means, line switchesinterposed in the circuit of said electric motor for controlling 45 thesame; a control circuit for governing the operation of said lineswitches including electromagnetic means for actuating said lineswitches,

a master switch structure controlling said electromagnetic means from aplurality oi! independent remote points, limit switches so connected asto be operated by said element to be moved controlling saidelectro-magnetic means and a local switch operated by said manual meansfor rendering said control circuit inoperable when said motor isdisconnected from said element to be moved; and a means for visualindication at a plurality of independent remote points of the positionof said element to be moved interposed in said control circuit andcontrolled by said limit switches and said local switch.

9. In combination, an element to be moved, an electric motordisconnectibly connected to said element, clutch means for disconnectingsaid mo-. tor from said element, a motor circuit for said motor soarranged as to permit the motor to be operated in either direction, lineswitches in said motor circuit for controlling the operation of saidmotor, a control circuit including electromagnetic means for theoperation of said line switches, a plurality of master switch structuresin said control circuit for permitting the operation of saidelectro-magnetic means from a plurality of independent remote points, alimit switch in said control circuit operated by said element to bemoved and controlling said electromagnetic means to open said lineswitches and de-energize said motor, a local switch in said controlcircuit operated by said clutch means to open said circuit when saidmotor is disconnected from said element to be moved, and meansinterposed in said control circuit and controlled by said limit switchand said local switch indicating the position of said element to bemoved and the position of said local switch at a plurality ofindependent remote points.

WALTER B. ATCHINSON.

